Short Summary

FRANCE'S PRIME MINISTER, M. COUVE DE MURVILLE, TODAY (TUESDAY) APPEALED TO FRENCH PEOPLE TO KEEP?

Description

FRANCE'S PRIME MINISTER, M. COUVE DE MURVILLE, TODAY (TUESDAY) APPEALED TO FRENCH PEOPLE TO KEEP TOGETHER AND, IN SO DOING, SUCCEED IN THEIR FIGHT TO SAVE THE FRANC. HE HAD JUST ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF THE AUSTERITY MEASURES FORECAST ON SUNDAY BY PRESIDENT DE GAULLE, TO HELP BOOST THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY. THESE INVOLVE BUDGET CUTS, INCREASES IN GAS ELECTRICITY PRICES, RAIL FREIGHT CHARGES, AND SOME TAXES, WITH SEVERE REDUCTIONS IN AIRCRAFT AND NUCLEAR DEFENCE PROJECTS.

M. COUVE DE MURVILLE ANNOUNCED THE MEASURES IN PARLIAMENT AFTER CONFERRING WITH THE FRENCH CABINET.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWS TWO DAYS OF ACTIVITY BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS BROUGHT IN AT THE WEEKEND. POLICE REINFORCED CUSTOMS OFFICERS AT MAIN AIRPORTS AND THE COUNTRY'S FRONTIERS TO PREVENT TRAVELLERS LEAVING WITH MORE THAN 700 FRANCS (GBP51 STERLING).

THE INCREASE IN GAS AND ELECTRICITY RATES WAS DUE TO COME INTO FORCE NEXT YEAR, BUT WILL NOW BE BROUGHT FORWARD TO NEXT SUNDAY.

THE ANGLO-FRENCH SUPERSONIC CONCORDE PROJECT WILL BE CUT BY 60 MILLION FRANCS (ABOUT GBP5 MILLION STERLING) AND THE FRENCH NUCLEAR TEST EXPLOSIONS PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR IN THE PACIFIC WILL BE CANCELLED.

THE 1969 BUDGET DEFICIT WILL BE CUT ALMOST IN HALF--BY 5,000 MILLION FRANCS (GBP417 MILLION STERLING).